Are We Getting A Hang Of This Yet: Training for Philadelphia {Week 3}

How did week 3 come and go already? While I may not have been successful in getting in some quality runs this week, I definitely did a good job at kicking my own butt.

Monday - 3 miles

I was still in Boston visiting my friend on Monday, and I knew I had to get out and run before we started our day.  I ran down along Commonwealth Avenue, and then made myself a loop running back to her apartment via Beacon Street.  I didn't realize until the next day, when we were exploring the city, that Commonwealth is one of the main thoroughfares for the Boston Marathon. It was a great run, again with some more hills thrown in.  I never realized how spoiled I am by running in San Diego. Sure you can find a hill (or mountain) to do hill training, but you can also easily run for miles on flat ground.  Thanks, New England for killing my confidence.  At least the trees and houses were pretty to look at. 

Tuesday - Rest

Make way for ducklings!

I went with my friend to do some more exploring in Boston around the Boston Common and the Prudential Center.  We explored the public library, walked down Newbury Street window shopping and stopped in at the Marathon Sports store right on the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  It was definitely surreal to walk on Boylston and think about what had happened earlier this spring. I bought a Boston Strong shirt at Marathon Sports (and a tube of Nuun, of course).  I was so excited to wear my shirt to changed into it at the airport for my flight home. 

Boston Public Library

Wednesday - Cross

After a full week off from Fit Camp, I returned on Wednesday for leg day.  Little did I know, it was also a hill day.  Yay! About 1/3 of a mile from the park where we normally do fit camp, there is a series of streets with some serious inclines.  About once a month, we'll head that way to do some exercises.  Ever think your calves are getting lazy?  Just walk yourself backwards down a steep hill. Seems easy, right? Until you wake up the next morning and fall over because you can't stretch out your legs.  Go ahead, try it. I dare you.  My goal in life is to do this at least once a week so that my calves finally become strong enough to not hate me for 3 days.  The perks of hill day? A great view of downtown San Diego! And of course, killer calf muscles.

Thursday - Cross

Only 12 hours after I finished leg day, I decided to get my second cross training exercise of the week done and over with.  I miss the 6 a.m. fit camp class. I love the way I feel after I finish an early morning work out, but it's so hard to convince yourself of that when you're dragging yourself out of bed when the sun isn't up yet.  Some early morning sprints and push ups got me going though. And it was great to have my workout done before work. 

Friday - 3 miles (half running, half stumbling)

Lesson of the day: You cannot successfully run on just peanut butter M&M's and pasta salad.  Needless to say, my day at work as a little crazy on Friday and I became one of those people I hate that says "I just forgot to eat".  Halfway into my flat, calming beach run, my vision became blurry and I realized if I didn't stop to walk, that someone might be picking me up on a stretcher.  I walked (more like stumbled slowly) back to my car where I shoveled Doritos and popcorn in my mouth for a good 20 minutes until I felt normal again.  Great mental picture, right?  Imagine those passing by silently judging the girl in running clothes sitting on the grass gorging herself on Doritos (orange fingers and all).  It was a low moment.  Never again.

My halfway "let's stop to take a picture, but I'm really dying" photo.

Saturday - 6 miles

Since my running record was pretty horrible for the week, I knew I had to successfully finish my long run this week. I made sure I was properly hydrated and fed before heading out to the beach to finish what I started the day before.  That is, until I got down to my car and realized I had locked my keys in the car the day before after my Doritos episode. Whoops.  An hour later, roadside assistance arrived to save the day.  In the meantime, I balanced my check book, painted my nails and did an ab workout. All was not lost.

Once I got the beach, I was successful in making it to the end of the boardwalk and back.  I may have muttered a few expletives under my breath to the families walking 6 abreast on the boardwalk and I may tripped over a stroller or two, but I made it!

Resisting the urge to plow right through them like a bowling ball.

Beautiful day.

Sunday - Rest

I had my first adventure to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Sunday.  I only bet on one race ($2 bet, big spender, back up!). But it was a great time hanging out with friends and people watching. 

And, they're off!

Goals for next week:

• Get my diet back in check.  This week and last week were pretty out of control with traveling and everything.  I haven't had a banana in 3 days. Not normal.
• Stick to the mileage plan.  
• Foam roll & stretch. I realized this week, and I don't know if it's because of my leg day workout or what, that my legs and hips are unreasonably tight.  Must work on that.
• Find somewhere (kind of) new and excited for my 9 mile long run on Saturday!